Disclaimer - Great minds think alike, right? Well, I'll have you know that I came up with the idea of Rurouni Kenshin and helped Watsuki develop into a manga!
Enishi - You, a great mind? You must be joking!
Saitou - She's more insane than Shishio and Battousai, that's for sure.
Kenshin - Hitoezakura-dono has truly lost her mind...
Aoshi - Such a pity...
Sanosuke - Don't pick on her! She has food! First let's eat, and then pick on her!
Hitoezakura - Have any of you realized that I can hear all this?
All - It was meant for your ears woman!
Hitoezakura (sobbing) - Rurouni Kenshin is property of Nohiburo Watsuki, not mine...
I LIVE!
I have not updated this story since November! I feel so upset!
I'M SO SORRY! PLEASE BEAR WITH ME! PLEASE DON'T ABANDON ME!
Thus ends the rant of Hitoezakura. Anyways, I am really sorry, but I've been swamped, and then I had writer's block for this particular story (although now I know how I'm going to end it, if it ever ends!)
Anyways, I'm so sorry for making you wait so long, but here's the next chapter, and I hope you enjoy it!
HOW IS THIS LOVE?
Aoshi stared at the phone with a mixture of shock, fury, and, for a mere millisecond, depression. However, his fury and shock overtook that brief moment of depression, so he failed to notice it. Nevertheless, Miyana's watchful eyes managed to detect and discover what Aoshi failed to understand.
He's jealous…deep inside him, he's starting to feel something for Kaoru, and if it gains power, he will eventually fall in love with her…Enishi-san, please, take the chance while you can and tell Kamiya-san of your feelings! Before it's too late, take that chance…
Miyana rose from her seat silently and placed a hand on Aoshi's shoulder. He whirled around, slightly surprised, but said nothing.
"Shinomori-san, are you alright?" asked Miyana softly.
"They are destroying the sanctity of friendship" growled Aoshi. "They are going to ruin their lives by falling in love with each other…"
"Shinomori-san, do you really think that falling in love with a friend will result in betrayal?" asked Miyana insistently. "Perhaps friendship can strengthen love!"
"Aoshi-san…I love you…I never knew when I realized that I loved you more than a friend, but I know that at this very moment, I love you with all my heart! You were once my best friend, but I want to go one step further!"
"Are you a fool? Did you really think that this relationship would work out? Shinomori Aoshi, did you really think that this would work? I became your friend just to gain your trust, and then, by becoming your girlfriend, I managed to gain access to all your secrets! But don't call it betrayal! Everything is fair in love and war!"
Aoshi slowly turned his head to Miyana, revealing his ice blue eyes, colder than Miyana had ever seen them.
"Believe me, falling in love with your friend is the biggest mistake any one can ever make" replied Aoshi. "It never ends happily…I must stop those two fools from making such a huge mistake!"
He immediately began to yank on his trench coat, but before he could step out the door, Miyana grabbed his sleeve.
"Shinomori-san, listen to me!" shrieked Miyana. "Listen to me! It is not a mistake to fall in love!"
"And what happened to you when you fell in love?" retorted Aoshi triumphantly, successfully hitting a nerve. "Why do you never smile anymore? Why have you suddenly seemed so lifeless?"
"Hey my love…your father would be proud that you've become a murderer, but as for me, I'm just glad that I managed to ruin your life…the same way you've just ruined mine…"
Miyana's eyes widened in shock, and Aoshi took the opportunity to slip out the door. Miyana immediately recovered and ran out her apartment door just as Aoshi was walking down the stairwell.
"Shinomori-san, maybe our own relationships didn't work out!" yelled Miyana from the top of the stairwell. "But think about all the successful ones! Takani-san and Sanosuke, Hitomi-san and Okita-san! How can you base your ideas on just our relationships? Take these other relationships into consideration before making up such theories about love being betrayal!"
Aoshi looked up with a piercing glare.
"Believe me when I say that I know that neither relationship will last" replied Aoshi coldly, disappearing down the stairs.
"Shinomori-san, you can't just leave that quickly!" muttered Miyana angrily, running back into her apartment and yanking on her coat and shoes before slamming her apartment door and flying down the staircase. "I will make sure that you won't be able to reach that couple!"
Because even if my own relationship didn't work out, other relationships can, and I will make sure that Enishi-san and Kamiya-san will not go through the same pain I went through!
"So baka deshi, what brings you here?"
Kenshin cringed as Hiko greeted him with his typical greeting.
"Shishou, I'm no longer a student" muttered Kenshin. "Perhaps you can stop calling me one!"
"Fine" replied Hiko with a shrug. "So baka, what brings you here?"
Kenshin fumed angrily as he yanked out the jug of sake from his car. "I came to bring you this jug of sake" he answered with a scowl.
"And?" prompted Hiko. "You never bring me sake unless you want to ask me for a favor, so spill it."
"I want to know more about the conflict between Saitou and Miyana" replied Kenshin firmly. Hiko sighed and let the curious redhead in, pouring them both some sake before sitting down with a groan.
"Why do you wish to know?" asked Hiko curiously.
"Because I have never seen such hatred in Saitou's eyes, and when Miyana fought him, she seemed like such a different person" answered Kenshin.
"I actually don't know why Saitou and Miyana hate each other so much" replied Hiko honestly. "But I can assure you that Miyana is a very different person when she fights. When she fights or when she becomes upset, she becomes extremely cold and sharp, a contrast to her usual soft-spoken behavior."
"Even as a child?" murmured Kenshin.
"Even as a child" answered Hiko. "It was one of the reasons I thought she would become an excellent swordswoman – she was very cold, very sharp, and extremely aware of her surroundings the moment she entered a fight. However, she would never allow her fights to interfere with her emotions. When she fought with a sword, she would be cold, but the moment the fight was over, she would regress to her cheerful self. It's not that she had no remorse, but she didn't suffer when she believed her actions were right."
"Shishou?" murmured Kenshin. "Would Miyana kill if she had to?"
"I have no doubt in my mind that she would" replied Hiko firmly. "She has no such promises holding her back, and unlike you, she is skilled with a deadly katana. She holds no guilt when she kills someone who she believes deserves to die…which is why I sometimes cannot fathom why Saitou and Miyana have a conflict. They are so similar in certain ways. Were she and Saitou in the same situation, they would both kill according to their own justice…which makes me wonder why they cannot stand each other…"
"You're kidding me!" shrieked Megumi excitedly, swiveling around on her bar stool in excitement. "Are you serious?"
"I kid you not Kitsune" replied Sanosuke with a grin. "He left me a message on my answering machine telling me that he wasn't coming to work today."
"Enishi and Kaoru, on a date?" mused Megumi happily. "This will be wonderful for Kaoru! She's been so depressed ever since Ken-san; it will help if she has fun with Enishi tonight!"
"I suppose, but sometimes, it seems like Enishi isn't the right one for her" murmured Sanosuke. "I know you want to play matchmaker Megitsune, but it just doesn't really compute in my mind…"
"Love can be extremely unexpected sometimes, so why can't this be one of those cases?" asked Megumi curiously.
Sanosuke shrugged, unable to give an adequate answer.
How can I tell Kitsune that for some reason, Jou-chan doesn't seem to be right for Enishi…
"Alright, maybe Kaoru and Enishi aren't meant for each other, but what about Aoshi and Miyana?" asked Megumi.
"You have got to be kidding me!" yelled Sanosuke. "The block of ice and Miyana! They have nothing in common!"
"You're thinking about a Miyana from four years ago" replied Megumi quietly. "She's changed tori-atama, and you can't really deny that…"
She may have changed, but I can tell that her smiles are still there deep inside…and I know for a fact that Ice-man will never be able to coax them out of her…
"Can we please change the subject?" muttered Sanosuke.
"What do you want to talk about?" asked Megumi, sipping her drink quietly.
"How about doing it in a car?"
"I WILL KILL YOU IF YOU MENTION THAT ONE MORE TIME!"
I need some time sort out these thoughts…to figure out how to help Kimana-san and at the same time reveal nothing to Soushi…
Kaya walked down the streets, weaving her way through the people that crowded the sidewalk as she made her way to her home, since Okita was still at work and would not finish until about ten o'clock, although knowing Okita, he would probably skip out as early as he possibly could. As much as he loved his job as a policeman, he would rather spend time with his fiancé, and had no qualms about dismissing his work for her. It caused a lot of arguing in the Saitou household, where it was usually Saitou against Okita and Tokio, and it always ended with Saitou grumbling about his family while Okita and Tokio rejoiced in victory.
Kaya laughed slightly as she remembered the first time she had witnessed such a fight. It had been her last night in Tokyo before her actress career, and Okita had kindly invited her home for a friendly dinner, since at that moment, he had not yet asked her out. However, Okita had immediately shirked his police duties to help Tokio prepare the dinner, and had of course riled Saitou with his actions. Tokio the mediator stepped in with a smile and insisted that Saitou remain calm after quietly threatening to tell everybody his deepest, darkest secrets. Tokio immediately won the argument, and the rest of the dinner proceeded smoothly.
"What are you laughing about?"
Kaya started and whirled around to meet Hakujin's laughing form. She placed a hand to her heart with a small laugh.
"Hakujin-san, you scared me so badly!" she exclaimed.
"No 'san' business!" insisted Hakujin. "It makes me feel so old! I'm just thirty! Call me Haku, that's what Okita called me all the time."
"Fine then Haku" replied Kaya with a smile, slightly red with embarrassment from being so informal. "I thought you left to complete some job for Shiroji-san?"
"Done" replied Hakujin with a shrug. "He just wanted me to tail Kimana-san as always. He may not care for her, but he certainly wants to make sure that she doesn't release information to the wrong people."
"He sounds like he doesn't trust anyone" whispered Kaya softly. "To not trust your own wife…your own life companion…it must be very lonely leading such a life…"
"You really do always try to see the good side of things, don't you?" murmured Hakujin with a smile. "No wonder Okita loves you so much…"
"Huh?" asked Kaya. "What do you mean?"
"You don't realize how valuable it is to find a person with a personality like yours" answered Hakujin with a wistful grin. "You see Shiroji-san's loneliness, you see his lack of trust, and you pity him for his state, yet you don't see how he was the root cause for this state of his."
But I dread the day when Shiroji's true character unfurls in front of you…what shall happen to you that day? Will you break down and crumble, or will you stand strong and maintain your courage?
I can only hope that the day won't come…because something deep inside tells me that when that day comes, only disaster will come of it…
"Shinomori-san, don't you dare take off without me!"
Aoshi had just mounted his motorcycle and was about to place his helmet on his head when it was suddenly snatched out of his hands by a very livid Miyana.
"Yes?" asked Aoshi coolly, outstretching his hand to snatch the helmet from Miyana. However, she effectively kept it out of his grasp as she glared at him.
"I won't let you do this" replied Miyana quietly. "It is neither yours nor my place to interfere in that relationship now that it has taken another step. Once friendship begins to evolve into something more, interference becomes unwelcome. Please don't do this Shinomori-san."
Aoshi stared silently for a moment as Miyana quietly pleaded through her eyes. His hand suddenly whipped past her and grabbed the helmet from her hands. Before she could even protest, he immediately tossed a second helmet into her hands.
"You know, making me hold another helmet doesn't really help me" answered Miyana with a raise of her eyebrow.
"If you put it on, it helps" countered Aoshi. "And it's even more helpful if you sit on the motorcycle too."
"What?" asked Miyana, thoroughly confused.
Aoshi sighed impatiently and yanked Miyana forward by the wrist, catching her completely off guard, before pushing the helmet onto her head and pulling her onto the motorcycle.
"What are you doing?" shrieked Miyana, desperately trying to climb off the motorcycle, but Aoshi immediately started it and turned his head to look straight into her eyes, which were wide with fear, which confused him.
Why is she so fearful…it's not as if I'm going to harm her…I thought she was fairly strong, so why does she look like a scared child?
"Hold on tight!" he called out, shaking his head clear of thoughts before riding at full speed, causing Miyana to scream and clutch his shoulders hard, her fingernails digging through so powerfully that he could feel the pain even through his trench coat.
"Why are you holding on so tightly?" he yelled, confused and annoyed.
"I hate fast moving vehicles!" she answered, her eyes shut tightly as she clutched Aoshi in fear. Despite his annoyance, he had to smile inwardly.
A girl who has gone through so much…yet she has an irrational fear of fast moving vehicles…
This is going to be fun…
"So Sou-chan, what exactly do you want to eat for lunch?" asked Misao excitedly, peering into her menu with interest. "Ordinarily, we would go to the Akabeko, but today, I know Tae will just target us, so here we are in Maekawa's Traditional Cuisine!"
Soujirou smiled as he peered at his menu curiously. "Misao-san, why don't you order for us?"
Misao folded her arms and turned away. "I'm sorry, but I know no one by the name of Misao-san. I know a Misao, but she despises honorifics."
Soujirou laughed at her childish actions and set his menu down. "Alright Misao, you order for us, and meanwhile, I'll have to leave for moment" he answered with a chuckle, motioning to the lavatories in the corner of the restaurant.
"Alright then Sou-chan, be prepared for soba and tempura! Ooh, or maybe Oden! No, wait, Onigiri! Shrimp! Manju!" Misao peered into the menu once again, trying to calm herself and make her choices wisely. Soujirou took the opportunity to disappear into the bathrooms. Just as he shut the door, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Kamatari-san, what are you doing here?" asked Soujirou curiously, staring at a woman dressed in a very pretty kimono, her hair done exquisitely. She smiled devilishly and wrapped her arms around Soujirou in a gesture of friendship.
"Sou-chan, you and I have a date at eight o' clock with the boss and Nashiya-san from Kurogane Enterprises! No excuses now, and don't spend time searching for dinner or sweets before arriving. Nashiya-san's providing refreshments!" she replied with a wink, releasing Soujirou from her embrace with a giggle.
"What are you doing in the men's bathroom wearing a kimono…that too, Yumi-san's kimono? She's going to be furious with you!" asked Soujirou with a grin.
"Oh well, even though I'm pretty and look like a woman, I'm a man through and through! And anyways, Yumi can stand to be taken down a peg or two. After all, I shall be the one to win Shishio-sama's heart! See you later Sou-chan!" called out Kamatari, waving as he walked out the bathroom, startling the man who was just about to open the door. The door shut as Kamatari sweetly replied "I'm so sorry…but curiosity just overcame me, and I had to have one glimpse of a guy's bathroom", effectively cutting off whatever the man's reply might have been. Soujirou had to laugh.
I suppose now would be a good time to tell Shishio-sama that his plan is going well…in good time, I might be able to interact with Misao-san's friends, and help him gain the information he needs…
Soujirou's smile widened as he thought about the success of their mission.
Kaoru hummed to herself softly as she gracefully skated towards the sink with an armload of dishes, dumping them into the soapy water gently before scrubbing and rinsing them clean.
I can't believe it! After two years, I've finally accepted a date! And with Enishi, out of all people!
Perhaps Tomoe-san's words do hold an ounce of truth…
"Kaoru-chan?"
Tae's voice caught Kaoru completely off guard and she suddenly swerved to meet the owner's gaze only to fall flat on her back (due to her skates) and drop the plate on the ground, effectively shattering it.
"Tae-san, don't scare me like that!" Kaoru managed to say as she regained her breath, having her wind knocked out of her from the fall. Tae laughed and offered her hand to the fallen girl after ensuring that Kaoru was perfectly fine and had suffered no bruises or damage whatsoever.
"Well, Kaoru-chan, you're extremely distracted today" said Tae with a devilish grin. "Is there anything special going on?"
Kaoru grinned, anticipating Tae's surprise as she disclosed her plans for the night. "Actually Tae-san, Enishi and I are going on a date!" answered Kaoru, flashing a smile at the older woman, who stood there, her mouth agape.
"Are you serious Kaoru-chan?" shrieked Tae excitedly, regaining her voice after a few moments of surprise. "Oh Kaoru-chan, I'm so thrilled! Where's the date going to be? What are you going to wear? What shall you be doing? What shall you be eating?"
As Tae rambled on and on with her endless list of questions, Kaoru couldn't help but sigh.
Perhaps I shouldn't have told her anything at all…at this rate, I'll be spending the entire night with Tae-san, answering her long list of questions, rather than on the date with Enishi…
Okina sighed as he sat at his desk, composing his new list of training partners. The door to his office suddenly opened to reveal an annoyed Hiko, who promptly sat down with the swish of his cape.
"So much for your intricate plan to help people get along" muttered Hiko with a smirk. "Thanks to you, I had to talk with my baka deshi about Miyana!"
"Was it really that awful to hear Himura question you?" asked Okina incredulously, confused as to why that would annoy Hiko so much.
Sure, Hiko finds Himura's ideals and past actions a bit irrational, but Hiko wasn't ever this annoyed with Himura…
"The baka deshi's questioning wasn't that awful" said Hiko quickly, not wanting Okina to get the wrong idea. "It's just all his questions about Miyana. Her drastic change after ten years has me baffled! There's still way too much about the girl that I don't understand yet, and unfortunately, I don't think she'll open up until she wants to."
"That's a problem…why?" asked Okina curiously.
"Because we don't know anything about her! We have no clue whom she might have been involved with, what exactly triggered that whole scandal about her, and what her role truly was in that scandal!" answered Hiko angrily.
"Do you trust the girl?" asked Okina with a sigh.
"I've never known Miyana to choose the wrong path. Her instincts and perceptions are quite sharp," muttered Hiko, extracting a sake jar and a saucer from his cape.
But how did she end up in a murder scandal? She's never strayed away from righteousness intentionally…but what happened that time?
"Then for the time being, we can trust her" replied Okina with a grim smile, interrupting Hiko's thoughts. "When the time comes, we shall question her, but right now, we're too shorthanded to actually turn her away from the organization. Now, do you want to see whether this new training sequence shall work out?"
"Go ahead" replied Hiko with a grin, sipping his sake.
"Alright, during the training, Kaya, Tokio, and Megumi will form one group, and Tomoe and Kaoru will pair up again. Those five did well with their groups. However, you'll be training Enishi, Kenshin and Miyana will train together, and Saitou and Okita will pair up as well."
"What about Sagara and Shinomori?" asked Hiko curiously.
"Sanosuke will work with Shikijou, since the other four Oniwabanshuu are returning tonight" replied Okina with a smile. "Aoshi will work with me. Hanya, Beshimi, Hyottoko, and the other four will work together."
"Sounds like a good plan" mused Hiko. "How are you going to put together the groups when we're protecting the three officials?"
"Well, I've been working on those groups. The Oniwabanshuu and I will scout the area as guards" replied Okina. "However, if the enemy is able to penetrate through our defense, then the groups will work to defend their person. The first group will consist of Kenshin, Tokio, Kaya, and Megumi, and they'll be protecting Katsura. The second group will consist of you, Okita, Enishi, and Kaoru, and they'll be protecting Saigo. The third group shall consist of Saitou, Aoshi, Sanosuke, and Miyana, and they'll be protecting Okubo."
"So you're teaming Saitou and Miyana together again?" asked Hiko with an arched eyebrow. Okina sweatdropped in exasperation.
"Yes, I'm still working on that last group, but I wanted to split all three of the Hiten Mitsurugi people in each group. Plus, the groups are actually very good, and I'd hate to ruin them!" replied Okina with a grin. "We'll see how it works out!"
"I can hardly wait" replied Hiko dryly, sipping his sake.
"Why are we at a restaurant?" asked Miyana curiously, standing at the entrance with a confused look on her face. Aoshi immediately locked his motorcycle into place and walked up to the woman who simply a few minutes ago had been screaming at him to stop the motorcycle.
This trip was worth it…I got to see her composure crumble…
"Suddenly you regained your composure?" asked Aoshi in mock innocence. He was rewarded with a deathly glare from Miyana's icy eyes.
"Answer my question first" she muttered angrily, folding her arms, furious at herself for becoming scared on his motorcycle.
I can't help it! I've hated fast moving vehicles for my entire life! Sagara-san tried to seat me on an airplane once, but I freaked out at him! And that's why I didn't mind walking away from the Aoiya instead of riding with Enishi-san – I didn't have to deal with his car!
"Alright, my real reason for bringing you here was to get some food into your system" answered Aoshi honestly, pushing her inside the doorway.
"Why didn't we go to the Akabeko?" asked Miyana. "Wouldn't that have been easier? And it wouldn't have taken such a long time to get there…"
"And of course, you would be able to warn Kamiya before I could" replied Aoshi with a scowl. "How could I say a word to her if you were watching my every move? Now hurry up, I already ordered, and there's already food on the table."
"How did you achieve that?" asked Miyana incredulously.
"Why do you think I hadn't taken off before you reached me at my motorcycle?" muttered Aoshi. "Do you really think I'm that slow?"
"You're really diabolical beneath that icy exterior of yours, aren't you?" said Miyana, an eyebrow arched in amusement as she seated herself at the table Aoshi had led her to. Aoshi sat down across from her.
"Dealing with you certainly required some degree of diabolical planning" answered Aoshi, throwing her a pair of chopsticks.
"Are you saying that I'm difficult?" inquired Miyana in surprise.
"Of course!" replied Aoshi, not a hint of doubt in his voice as he began to chew away at his tempura. "Did you think you were easy to convince and persuade?"
"Why didn't you let me steal Enishi's car?"
Megumi sighed in exasperation as Sanosuke asked her the same question for the tenth time since they had left the Shirobeko. Enishi had let them leave after making sure that Sanosuke knew he would suffer a slow and painful date if he didn't arrive and work his shift while Enishi was with Kaoru.
I have to say, once Sae-san returns, Enishi and Sanosuke are going to suffer at her hands. She's going to impose a stricter work schedule on them for sure!
"Kitsune, answer my question!" begged Sanosuke, grumbling as he expectantly waited for an answer. He was furious when Megumi had refused to help him steal Enishi's car again.
It was just sitting there in the parking lot! And I would have had to return it so that Enishi could pick up Jou-chan! Why didn't she help me steal it? Walking around is such a bore when you can drive! Plus…there are so many other opportunities in a car, like making out, and doing it, and…
WHACK!
"OW! Kitsune, what the hell did you do that for?" yelled Sanosuke angrily, clutching his head in pain. "You and Jou-chan seriously need to reevaluate your strength!"
"You deserve that tori-atama!" exclaimed Megumi furiously. "Stop thinking about us doing it in a car! It's not going to happen!"
"I was not thinking about that!"
"Yes you were! You had that weird, dreamy look on your face just now! Don't lie to me Sanosuke, I'm your girlfriend!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Kid, she finally consented to being your girlfriend?"
Both Sanosuke and Megumi immediately swerved around, taken aback by the third voice that had suddenly interrupted their argument. Megumi gasped as she stared at the tall, muscular man in front of her, a slight olive green tinge to his skin as he grinned at her. His brown hair was long and unruly, and his chest was covered with scars.
I do not like the looks of this guy…
Megumi instinctively took a step back and glanced at Sanosuke, shocked to see him break out into a grin.
"Hey Shikijou man, what are you doing here?" asked Sanosuke. "And as for Kitsune, I can get any girl I want!"
Megumi immediately forgot all her shock and fear as she immediately whacked Sanosuke in the head again.
"OW! Kitsune, stop whacking me on the head!"
Shikijou burst into laughter and patted Megumi on the shoulder while Sanosuke nursed his bruised head.
"I like you girl!" declared Shikijou with a grin. "This rooster punk really needs a punch in the head! Glad you knocked some sense into him"
"Who are you?" asked Megumi curiously, still a little wary of Shikijou. Shikijou grinned and mock bowed.
"I'm Shikijou, one of the guys in the Oniwabanshuu group!" he exclaimed with a grin. "And the guys behind me are Hanya, Beshimi, and Hyottoko."
"But there are only two people behind you" murmured Megumi, staring at the tiny Beshimi with his unruly hair and the giant Hyottoko with his buck teeth. "Where's the third?"
"Right behind you."
Megumi swerved around in surprise to see a tall, thin man standing behind her, a white, devilish mask resting on his face.
"Sorry to scare you" said the man, a hint of laughter in his voice. "I'm Hanya. The short one's Beshimi, and the giant one's Hyottoko."
Megumi glanced at each of the four men standing in front of her in confusion and finally sighed.
"What a strange group of people you four make" she muttered, shaking her head.
"They are the strangest people you'll find out there Kitsune" said Sanosuke with a grin as he and the other four Oniwabanshuu erupted into laughter.
"Anyways" interrupted Hanya through all the laughter. "We should go to the Aoiya and tell Okina that we've arrived early. Do you think Lord Aoshi will be there?"
"Who knows where the King of Ice is at this moment?" muttered Sanosuke. "But you could always see if he's there at the Aoiya."
"Alright then!" exclaimed Shikijou. "Let's inform Okina that we've arrived! Have fun on your date! And girl, make sure that you pound more sense into your rooster boyfriend!"
Sanosuke scowled as the four men disappeared into the traffic. "One day, I'm going to tell Shikijou to shut up before I pound him again!"
"And if you don't shut up about doing it in a car, I will take up Shikijou's words and will pound some sense into you!" insisted Megumi with a smile.
"But Kitsune, think about it!" pleaded Sanosuke with a grin.
WHACK!
Misao sighed unhappily as she stepped out of the taxi Soujirou had graciously paid for. She had already ordered when he suddenly popped out of the bathroom, saying that he received a call from his boss and had some urgent work to complete tonight. After hurriedly flagging down the waitress and asking if they could take the order to go, he seated her in the taxi and apologized continuously, which Misao found sweet.
Of course, that doesn't mean that I'm still fuming at his boss! I can't believe Sou-chan has to work now, out of all times! We were just about to enjoy a romantic dinner when his stupid boss called!
With a frown, she kicked the door open and stomped into the dark living room of her house, carrying her plastic bag full of food from the restaurant.
"Miss Misao, I thought you would be happy to see us."
Misao's eyes widened in surprise as she stared into the darkness of the living room to see the slight silhouette of four men she had eagerly waited to see.
"Hanya! Shikijou! Beshimi! Hyottoko!" shrieked Misao happily, rushing into the living room (promptly dropping her bag of food, which spilled onto the ground) and hugging each of them tightly. "You guys finally came back! How was your training? You learned any new moves? You better get back to teaching me!"
"Whoa Misao, calm down!" exclaimed Shikijou with a grin. "We're all glad to see you too! So, what have you been up to? Broke any more guys' hearts?"
"I'll have you know that I have a great boyfriend right now!" declared Misao with a huge smile.
"She's growing up!" teased Hyttoko with a laugh, earning himself a punch from Misao. "And she's growing stronger too!" he exclaimed, rubbing his arm slightly. "Wow, your punches are actually starting to prick my skin!"
"So how is Lord Aoshi doing?" asked Beshimi with a laugh. "Is he still in the acting career?"
"Oh, he hates acting!" exclaimed Misao with a devilish grin. "He's still in the cast of another film where he hates falling in love at first but slowly acknowledges it!"
"Totally against his own beliefs" chuckled Shikijou.
"Even better though, you should see his expression when he argues with Kaoru! I think that's the only time when he comes close to losing his composure! You guys won't be able to resist laughing when you watch them argue!" replied Misao triumphantly, earning a lot of laughs from the four of them.
"Lord Aoshi, losing his composure?" murmured Hanya with a grin. "You're right Miss Misao, I can't wait to see that!"
"Alright Enishi, we're back."
Enishi raised an eyebrow as he heard Sanosuke enter the bar, sounding less than enthusiastic. He also noted that Megumi was not accompanying Sanosuke.
"What's wrong rooster-head?" asked Enishi. "This is your shift, so you shouldn't complain! You've ditched work plenty already, so stop complaining."
"I know, but it's going to be so boring without Kitsune!" whined Sanosuke, which sounded rather strange due to his deep voice.
"I pity you greatly" replied Enishi in a sarcastic tone.
"Does that mean I don't need to work my shift?" asked Sanosuke hopefully with a cheesy grin.
"I pity you cause you're stupid!" answered Enishi, slapping his forehead in exasperation. "Does that thicket of hair on your head prevent any common sense from entering your skull? Of course you're going to work your shift!"
"If you talk to Jou-chan like this, let me assure you, it's going to be a very short-lived relationship…" muttered Sanosuke grumpily, earning himself a punch from Enishi.
"Consider that my payment to you for making you work tonight!" exclaimed Enishi with a grin. "I pity Megumi; how does she deal with you? And where is she?"
"Hey, I'm handsome, intelligent, sexy, and great with women!" declared Sanosuke with a triumphant grin. "And Megumi went to Dr. Gensai's; she promised Yahiko, Tsubame, Ayame, and Suzume that she would take them to a movie of their choice."
"You're handsome, intelligent, sexy, and great with women?" asked Enishi incredulously. "Are you kidding me? Handsome, supposedly, but intelligent? No, you have rocks for brains. Sexy? Your gambling, shoveling food into your mouth, and the messy state of your room cannot possibly add up to being sexy. Great with women? Is that why almost all of your relationships ended with some girl slapping you or beating you up?"
"Shut up and get out of here!" yelled Sanosuke angrily.
"My pleasure" replied Enishi with a grin, slipping out of the bar, leaving Sanosuke all alone behind the counter.
"Can we please play hide-and-seek? Pretty, pretty, pretty please?"
Kaya giggled as she watched her little sister Aika begging to play hide-and-seek in the park. Ryoko was working in her shop today, and Aika, full of energy, had been running around the shop so much that Ryoko begged Kaya to look after Aika for the fear that the eight-year-old might break a valuable object. Kaya had consented, and immediately decided to take her to the park. However, Aika, for some strange reason, had not wanted to play in the playground, and instead, insisted on playing hide-and-seek.
"Alright, alright!" exclaimed Kaya with a grin. "I don't know why you want to play so much. You usually hate that game…oh well, how long do you want me to count for?"
"Count to a hundred!" insisted Aika. "And no peeking!"
Kaya laughed and rested her head against the tree, turning her back to Aika and covering her eyes with her hands.
"Alright then, I'll count. One, two, three, four…"
Kaya heard Aika's footsteps retreating behind her and then she heard the rustling of the bushes nearby. She almost had to laugh.
I hate to say it, but sometimes, she needs to work on being more discreet…
"Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, hundred!" yelled Kaya, finished with her counting. "Ready or not, here I come!" she called out, uncovering her eyes and pushing herself away from the tree. However, before she could turn around, she felt a pair of hands cover her eyes.
"Aika, how did your hands manage to reach my head?" asked Kaya curiously.
"Who said it was Aika?"
Kaya laughed as she tried to pull the hands from over her eyes. "Okita Soushi, stop that at once! Saitou-san must be furious at you for skipping work!"
(At that moment, Saitou, glaring at Okita's empty desk, sneezed loudly before turning around and patting his pockets for a cigarette).
"Eh, Saitou-san will get over it" replied Okita with a grin, dropping his hands. "Anyways, I have come to take you and Aika to dinner and a movie! I already asked Ryoko-san!"
"Fooled you!" declared Aika with a laugh, jumping out from behind Okita. "Did you really think I wanted to play hide-and-seek?"
Kaya laughed and lifted Aika before spinning her around in circles. "I must be the luckiest girl alive! I have the best sister, the best fiancé, and the greatest friends I could ask for!" exclaimed Kaya with a grin.
I'm lucky…but there is a woman out there who deserves this kind of happiness as well…and I'll make sure she receives it!
"Finally!" sighed Kaoru, shutting the Akabeko employee bathroom door behind her and locking it securely. She had just managed to escape Tae's bombarding questions, and she was not about to give Tae another opportunity to question her further. She immediately changed out of her Akabeko waitress uniform and slipped into a pretty sapphire t-shirt decorated with music note, dark blue jeans, and a dark blue jean jacket. She immediately rummaged through her purse for her sapphire tear drop earrings and inserted them into her holes before combing her hair and tying it into her typical high ponytail.
"Alright, I think it looks alright!" exclaimed Kaoru contentedly. Her gaze drifted towards the clock and she suddenly panicked.
"I'm late! Enishi, please don't be too furious!" she cried out, stuffing her Akabeko uniform into a bag and running out of the bathroom. She shoved the uniform into the closet Tae had left open for all the waitresses.
"Have fun Kaoru-chan!" called out Tae with a grin and a wave.
"Thanks Tae!" replied Kaoru, rushing to the door. She yanked the door inwards and ran straight into an unsuspecting Enishi.
"What an interesting way to start a date" said Enishi with a grin, causing Kaoru to blush furiously.
"Mou! Stop teasing me!" exclaimed Kaoru, still very red in the face. Enishi laughed as he escorted her to the car.
"Alright, I'll stop!" replied Enishi with a smile, opening the car door for her. "Are you ready to sing your heart out at the karaoke bar?"
"Sure am!" replied Kaoru. "But more than me singing, I'm interested in find out how you sing!"
Enishi's eyes widened behind his shades. "I'm not singing" he insisted.
"Oh yes you are!" answered Kaoru with a grin. "This is going to be a fun date!"
Enishi groaned as he shut her door and stepped into the driver's seat.
Why did I mention a karaoke bar? Now I have to sing…oh well, at least I'm with Kaoru!
Thank Kami Megumi and Sanosuke aren't there! The tone-deaf couple would've ruined this date!
"So, looks like my plan was successful" declared Aoshi in triumph. "You ate a substantial amount of food."
Miyana rolled her eyes and tried to stab Aoshi's hand with a chopstick. However, he dodged the wooden stick, thus ruining her attempt. He suddenly rose from his seat.
"I'm going to leave for a minute" replied Aoshi, pulling on his trenchcoat and jerking his head towards the direction of the bathroom. "Just wait here and I'll come back and pay the bill, alright?"
"Sure" answered Miyana softly, tucking her hair behind her ears. Aoshi left the table, and Miyana simply sat there for a minute, thoroughly bored, when suddenly, a waitress arrived at her table.
"Ma'am?" she asked curiously. Miyana looked up in surprise.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" replied Miyana. "Could you please just leave the bill here, and my friend will pay for it later?"
"It's already paid" replied the woman. "Your friend told me to leave you this note." The waitress handed her a folded sheet of paper and bowed politely before leaving the table.
"Huh?" murmured Miyana in confusion, unfolding the note.
'I'm going to the karaoke bar to find Kamiya and Yukishiro. Hope you enjoyed dinner.'
"I'm going to kill Shinomori-san!" shrieked Miyana furiously, blushing as the nearby customers stared at her in shock. She immediately grabbed her coat and ran outside in the parking lot only to see Aoshi's motorcycle missing.
Shoot! I don't even have my purse, so I can't call a taxi and drive there!
She turned around so that she could step onto the sidewalk but suddenly bumped into an immaculately dressed man with neatly combed brown hair and eyes shielded by glasses, causing her to drop the note that was clenched in her hand.
"I'm sorry sir!" she replied apologetically, trying to regain her balance so that she wouldn't fall.
"Don't worry about it miss" replied the man with a small smile, waving his hand in acceptance before walking past her and stepping into his car. Miyana kneeled down to pick up the note so that she could throw it in the trash. Suddenly, she noticed a wallet on the ground, and in curiosity, picked it up and flipped it open to see if she could find any contact information that would allow her to return it.
Wait…the picture…this is the man I just bumped into!
She immediately stood up to call out to him when she realized that his car was already well down the road. She raised her hand to her forehead in exasperation and exhaustion.
Why does this keep happening to me today? It is really not my day...
She flipped the wallet open again and glanced at the cards inside, desperately hoping to find some sort of contact information. Her eyes fell upon a business card.
'Nashiya Hidehiko, President of Kurogane Enterprises'.
Miyana scanned the card further until she finally reached a phone number. She rummaged her coat pockets for change and managed to retrieve a few yen before walking to a pay phone, inserting the coins, and dialing the number on the card.
"Kurogane Enterprises. This is Hayakawa Yuki, receptionist speaking. How may I help you?" answered a woman in an apathetic and bored tone.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I have Nashiya-san's wallet here with me. He dropped it outside the Kiyoko's restaurant. Is it possible for you to tell me how I can return it?" asked Miyana politely.
"Can you hold?" asked Yuki.
Miyana stood there at the phone (and inserted a few more coins to make sure that the phone would continue to work) when Yuki came back to the phone.
"Alright miss, could you just stand on the sidewalk near the bus stop? Someone will come and pick up the wallet. Thank you for informing us."
"Thank you" replied Miyana, hanging up the phone and walking to the bus stop. About a minute later, a black car arrived and screeched to a stop in front of her. Two men stepped out of the car, each showing her an ID card that confirmed their identity and affiliation to the Kurogane Enterprises.
"You have the wallet?" asked the man named Kido, holding out his hand.
"Yes" replied Miyana, handing the wallet to him. She suddenly felt two hands on her shoulder and turned her head to see the other man, Taka, right behind her.
"Get into the car miss" he ordered quietly.
"Excuse me?" asked Miyana incredulously. She suddenly felt herself being pushed into the car and she fell onto the seat before the door slammed behind her. Slightly frightened, she desperately tried to open the door.
"Don't do that" muttered Kido. "It's childproofed. You won't be able to get out."
"We're not going to harm you" replied Taka. "Nashiya-san just wants to see you and make sure you didn't pry through his wallet."
"Get me out of here!" she shrieked angrily. "I can't stand cars!"
"We're in for a long ride…" muttered Kido as Taka started the car, causing Miyana to shriek again.
"Alright Kaoru, it's your turn to sing!" replied Enishi with a devilish grin, pushing her up onto the stage. "Belt your heart out!"
"You're just trying to embarrass me!" exclaimed Kaoru in mock anger, hands on her hips. "But I have the upper hand! You see, after I sing, I'll make you sing!"
"Go ahead and try" challenged Enishi, waving as he stepped off the stage, leaving her alone as she held the microphone. She smiled as he waved to her from the audience, but inside, she still felt…depressed…
She closed her eyes as the audience buzzed with the noise of people chattering rather than waiting for her to sing.
Tonight was really fun…Enishi and I came in, laughed as some of the worst singers stepped onto the stage, exchanged comments, flirted a bit…but in the end…I still feel slightly hollow…
I still feel the pain of losing Kenshin…
But he's married to Tomoe-san…and she's truly wonderful! I always thought Enishi was just praising her, but she truly is a wonderful person…and I'm glad that Kenshin fell in love with her, an amazing woman who deserves an amazing man…
So maybe…now…I should say goodbye…
I can leave Kenshin behind now…and perhaps move on with Enishi…
Kaoru opened her eyes, shiny with the thinnest sheen of tears as she grasped the microphone in her hands and began to sing.
"Of all the things I've believed in,
I just want to get it over with,
tears form behind my eyes,
but I do not cry,
counting the days that pass me by."
The tumult of the audience suddenly seemed to dim as Kaoru's beautiful voice wafted to their ears, capturing their attention as they heard the sorrowful cadences come from the beautiful girl's mouth. Enishi stared up at Kaoru as the spotlight softly shone on her, making her seem like an angel. Kaoru, unaware that the audience was enraptured by her performance, continued to sing, pouring out her soul to the unknown sea of people in front of her.
"I've been searchin' deep down in my soul;
words that I'm hearin' are starting to get old,
it feels like I'm starting all over again,
The last three years were just pretend,
and I said...
Goodbye to you,
goodbye to everything that I knew,
You were the one I loved,
the one thing that I tried to hold onto.
I still get lost in your eyes,
and it seems that I can't live a day without you,
closing my eyes,
and you chase my thoughts away,
to a place where I am blinded by the light,
but it's not right.
Goodbye to you,
goodbye to everything that I knew,
You were the one I loved,
the one thing that I tried to hold on to.
Ooh whoa...
and it hurts to want everything and nothing at the same time,
I want what's yours and I want what's mine,
I want you,
but I'm not giving in this time.
Goodbye to you,
goodbye to everything that I knew,
You were the one I loved,
the one thing that I tried to hold onto
Goodbye to you, (goodbye to you)
goodbye to everything I thought I knew, (goodbye to you)
You were the one I loved,
the one thing that I tried to hold onto,
(the one thing that i tried to hold onto)
the one thing that I tried to hold onto.
(the one thing that i tried to hold onto)
Oh, oh whoa, oh, oh (one thing that i tried to hold onto)
and when the stars fall I will lie awake,
you're my shooting star."
Kaoru sighed softly as she finished the song.
Kenshin…I'll always remember you as my first love…but it's time for me to let go…
Her ears suddenly roared with the applause of the audience, and she blushed furiously as she stepped off the stage hurriedly, receiving praises left and right.
"Kaoru, you sounded amazing, as always!" replied Enishi with a grin as she sat down at their table, still quite red in the face.
"Mou, Enishi! But it's your turn now!" she answered devilishly, causing Enishi's eyes to widen in shock. She laughed at his surprised expression, not noticing that Shinomori Aoshi was standing in the entrance, watching the two of them, and had been there since the beginning of her song. And she didn't notice when he turned around abruptly and walked away from the karaoke bar.
Aoshi stood leaning against his motorcycle and sighed quietly. He had been ready to storm in their date, to argue with Kaoru and Enishi, but she was standing on the stage by the time he had arrived, and then she had suddenly started singing.
Aoshi had heard her sing before; she had been singing in his car, some cute song about love and how sweet it was or something like that. And he had to admit, she really had a rich, velvety voice that really captured one's attention.
But tonight, he had been floored. He had been unable to speak, unable to move, unable to tear his gaze away from the angel that stood on that stage.
Because for the first time, he saw something he had never seen before in that cheerful girl's eyes.
He had seen that light sheen of tears. He had seen the emotions swirling in her big, sapphire blue eyes. He had seen her pour her heart out to the audience.
And I realized that she had truly experienced heartbreak…even with Yukishiro there, even with all her friends, she still felt the pain…
Then why does she think that a new love will end her pain?
I still don't understand her…love caused her pain, how will it bring her joy in the future?
"Remind me never to drive in a car with you again" muttered Taka unhappily, opening the door for Miyana. "You seemed so composed at the bus stop, and then you suddenly started shrieking!"
"Well, that was more your fault" muttered Miyana. "Neither of you informed me beforehand that you were going to force me to enter a car!"
"Don't worry" replied Kido with a grin. "Nashiya-san just wanted to thank you in person for returning his wallet."
"And here we are!" declared Taka. "Have a seat, and Nashiya-san will enter shortly!"
Taka and Kido quickly exited, leaving Miyana all alone in the expansive office. She tapped her foot slightly and then wandered around the office aimlessly.
Wow…he's a messy person…strange how the President of an enterprise can be so disorganized…
Her eyes gazed at the desk, halting as they glanced at a certain picture. She lifted it up and stared at it with a scrutinizing gaze.
The woman…she looks so familiar…
Suddenly, she heard a door open from the side. She set the picture down hurriedly and watched as Nashiya Hidehiko entered the office with a polite smile.
"Ah, you're the girl I bumped into in front of the restaurant" he replied with a smile. "Well, I would just like to thank you for returning my wallet to me."
"You're welcome Nashiya-san" she said politely, bowing slightly. Nashiya-san stared at her for awhile, but when Miyana set her gaze on him he immediately smiled and motioned for her to sit down.
"You seem like an honest girl" murmured Hidehiko. "Do you currently have a job?"
"Excuse me sir?" asked Miyana in confusion, unsure why he was asking her that question.
"Are you currently employed?" rephrased Hidehiko.
"Yes, I have a job at a bookstore" replied Miyana softly. "Is there any particular reason why you wish to know?"
"Would you like to accept a job here as a secretary?" asked Hidehiko with a smile.
Miyana stared at him in shock, causing him to chuckle.
"Miss, I appreciate your honesty" replied Hidehiko. "Someone else could have run off with my wallet. But you kindly called and made sure that someone would pick it up. Kido and Taka told me that until you saw identification you didn't give them that wallet. In addition…well, you can see I'm quite disorganized…"
"Yes, I can" answered Miyana, an eyebrow arched in amusement as she stared at the great mess in front of her eyes.
"So, how about trying it out for a week?" asked Hidehiko. "You can quit if you don't enjoy the job."
"Umm…I'll try…" answered Miyana softly, shrugging her shoulders. Hidehiko burst into a broad grin.
"Alright then!" he finished enthusiastically. "Next time, I'll ask you to fill out some forms. However, I really have to hurry and attend a business appointment, so I can have Kido and Taka drive you back home."
"That won't be necessary!" replied Miyana hurriedly. "Thank you for all your kindness Nashiya-san, but I really must head home."
"So I'll see you tomorrow!" exclaimed Hidehiko.
Miyana bowed once again and quickly exited the room and the building, not stopping at all, before leaning against a streetlight with a sigh.
Seriously…this day cannot get any weirder…
Her gaze suddenly drifted across the street to a small karaoke bar, where she saw Aoshi leaning against a motorcycle, lost in thought. She immediately headed towards him, ready to give him a piece of her mind.
He better be prepared…I'm going to lash into him for leaving me at that restaurant! And he probably ruined Kaoru and Enishi's date…
"Enishi, do I need to force you onto that stage?" asked Kaoru with a laugh. "It's your turn now!"
"You have got to be kidding me" muttered Enishi, pushing up his shades. "Kaoru, I am not going to sing, not even if you gave me a 10,000 yen!"
"You made me sing, so I reserve the right to make you sing!" insisted Kaoru with a huge grin as she saw Enishi's glare even behind his shades.
"Excuse me, but may I interrupt your argument?"
Enishi and Kaoru turned around to see a tall, dark haired woman standing behind them, a smile on her face as she handed Kaoru a small card in her outstretched hand. Kaoru curiously accepted the card and stared at it before looking up at the woman in excitement.
"You're…you're an agent?" asked Kaoru with an excited smile. "You want to scout me?"
"That's right!" replied the woman happily. "Let me tell you, that was an amazing performance Miss…"
"Kaoru. Kamiya Kaoru" replied Kaoru excitedly.
"Miss Kamiya, if it is possible, please report tomorrow at the address on the card and I'd love to discuss a future as a singer with you" answered the woman. "When you reach the desk, ask for Yamato Natsu."
"Oh, thank you Yamoto-san!" replied Kaoru happily, bowing politely as the woman waved and left. Kaoru shrieked happily and hugged Enishi tightly in excitement, not realizing that she had caught Enishi by surprise.
"Enishi, this is my dream come true!" exclaimed Kaoru ecstatically. "I'm in a euphoria! I've always wanted to be a singer, and now I have a chance!"
"Kaoru, you had to have seen this coming!" answered Enishi. "Have you never noticed your talent before? Or did Megumi and Sanosuke's awful singing cloud your mind?"
Kaoru and Enishi laughed, but were suddenly interrupted by Enishi's cell phone ringing. Enishi silently cursed as he picked up the phone.
Someone just had to call and ruin the night…
"Hello?" he asked brusquely.
"Enishi! Come back to the Shirobeko! Shura saw Sae at the airport and called me! She said Sae's going to check up on us as a surprise, and Sae's going to be furious if she doesn't see you there!"
"You idiot rooster, calm down! I'll be there in a few minutes!" muttered Enishi angrily, furious that THIS had to happen on the night of his date with Kaoru.
"Hurry up! I don't want to deal with a crazed Sae alone!"
Enishi hung up with a sigh, rolling his eyes at the stupidity of the person who was supposed to be his friend.
"Wow, you better hurry and reach the Shirobeko before Sae finds out that you were on a date!" exclaimed Kaoru with a laugh.
"How did you know that she was coming today?" asked Enishi curiously.
"Sanosuke's really loud when he panics" replied Kaoru simply.
"I'm so sorry about today Kaoru" Enishi began to apologize, but Kaoru held up her hand, interrupting him.
"Don't say sorry Enishi!" she said with a smile. "It's not your fault! But you have to leave at once! Don't worry about me, I have plenty of money to take a taxi home! Just go before Sae decides to skewer you!"
"We'll finish this some other day" muttered Enishi, slipping his phone into his pocket and rushing out of the karaoke bar. "Thanks Kaoru, and see you later!"
"See you!" called out Kaoru. As Enishi disappeared into the crowd, she sighed in relief and slipped back down into her seat.
Truth be told…I like Enishi…but I'm not sure if I will ever fall in love with him…it just doesn't seem right…
"Shinomori-san, so nice of you to leave me at that restaurant all alone."
Aoshi almost cringed as he heard the sarcasm in Miyana's voice behind him. He turned around and met her cold eyes.
"It seemed like a good plan, didn't it?" asked Aoshi.
"Awful Shinomori-san. The word you're looking for is awful" answered Miyana dryly. "What did you tell Enishi-san and Kamiya-san?"
"Nothing, to your pleasure, I'm sure" muttered Aoshi angrily. Miyana stared at him in surprise.
"Nothing?" asked Miyana softly. "Are you lying to me?"
"I'm not" replied Aoshi with a grim face. "I just couldn't say anything to her after she had started singing…"
"Why?"
Aoshi glanced at Miyana. "Are you extremely curious today? Is that why you have been asking me all these questions?" he inquired with the raise of an eyebrow. Miyana reddened slightly and shook her head before staring down at the ground.
"She was singing about heartbreak" answered Aoshi. "She was saying goodbye to someone she loved, someone who had escaped her grasp…and it sounded like she truly meant it…sounded like she had experienced that pain…"
"Well, neither of us knows Kamiya-san that well..." murmured Miyana. "Perhaps there was someone she deeply loved in the past, but due to some circumstance, they were unable to remain together…"
"Love had pained her, yet she continues to praise love…" muttered Aoshi thoughtfully. "I don't get how she can still believe in love even when it brought her pain!"
"Love isn't just about pain Shinomori-san" replied Miyana softly. "Sometimes love does bring pain, but other times, it can bring the greatest of joys, the greatest of emotions…it's not meant to hurt. That just…happens. But I have to agree with Kamiya-san – love is an amazing emotion that brings life and joy and happiness to the heart."
"If love can do that, then why do you never smile?" asked Aoshi.
Miyana glanced up at him in surprise, but couldn't say a word.
"I'm right, aren't I? For you, love brought nothing but pain. And thanks to that pain, you've been scarred for life. You lost that cheerful demeanor Sagara remembers and instead remain gloomy and caught up in the past! Admit it Miyana, I'm right!"
Miyana closed her eyes, trying to process Aoshi's words in her mind.
I'm scarred for life?
Has love truly brought me nothing but pain?
My first love didn't notice me, my second one made my life a living hell…but does that truly mean that in the future, I will suffer this pain?
Am I really always caught up in the past?
Have I truly become a shell of who I was before?
Is Shinomori-san really right?
NO! I refuse to accept that answer! I know I'll fall in love again…it might take some time, but I have faith in love!
Miyana opened her eyes and turned to Aoshi.
"Are you going to admit that I'm right about love?" asked Aoshi, leaning against the motorcycle in triumph.
"No" she whispered softly. "You're not right about love…but you're right about me being a hypocrite. I really have been behaving strangely these days…but I truly do believe that love does not lead to pain and betrayal and angst…"
She turned around and began to walk away, leaving Aoshi confused. However, he quickly regained himself and called out after her.
"So you're never going to admit I'm right, are you?"
Miyana stopped in her tracks and turned around, causing Aoshi's eyes to widen in surprise.
She was smiling.
"I'm not going to admit that" answered Miyana with a small laugh. "But I will thank you for opening my eyes…"
She gave a small wave to a shocked Aoshi and walked away into the darkness, leaving Aoshi alone leaning against his motorcycle to contemplate exactly what had happened.
"Nashiya-san, your visitors are in the conference room" called out Yuki in a bored tone. "I'll be taking leave now, but I'll lock up behind me!"
Hidehiko waited until he heard Yuki's clicking pumps enter the elevator and diminish before he made his way to the conference room. He shut the door behind him and swiftly hit the switch, engulfing the room with a bright light. He grinned at the figures that were seated at the table and immediately called out to the one seated at the head.
"Shishio-sama, welcome to Tokyo!"
Shishio grinned as he smoked his pipe vigorously. "Well Hidehiko, you can't really expect me to be welcome to Tokyo, can you? After all the threats I've sent to this city, I must be the most hated individual in this city."
Hidehiko laughed and made his way over to the end of the table. "Why Shishio-sama, I suppose you're right! But it's the thought that counts! Yumi-san, I must say, you're looking beautiful as always. Kamatari-san and Soujirou-san, how have you two been doing?"
"Oh, well, I'm feeling wonderful, as always!" chirped Kamatari, who had had the time of his life as Yumi had fumed at him for wearing her kimono. She had been especially furious when Kamatari insisted that it looked better on him than her.
"Tokyo is a great place!" chimed in Soujirou. "I can't believe how many places there are to eat at!"
"Alright, that's enough from you two" muttered Shishio with a chuckle. "Anyways Hidehiko, do you still have a copy?"
"Of course! I believe all the copies are still available, save for the one" answered Hidehiko with a shrug.
"So we'll proceed with the plans outlined on the copies" said Shishio with a grin. "Same process, same intent…although maybe a few minor changes."
"Sounds like a plan" agreed Hidehiko. "However, I should inform you about something interesting I discovered today."
"And what is that?" asked Shishio curiously.
"Taka and Kido brought in a girl to the office today. Very interesting girl. She looked almost like Midori. Does that trigger your interest?" asked Hidehiko with a wink.
"Midori…the woman who caused all these burns on my body…who stole my heir…" mused Shishio. "That certainly triggers my interest indeed…keep your tabs on this girl…"
"Will do Shishio-sama" replied Hidehiko with a bow. "It seems that everything is going according to your plans. You must be pleased."
"Of course I am" answered Shishio with a grin. "My desire to take over Japan is finally beginning to come true."
Kaoru slipped out of the noisy karaoke bar, slipping on her jacket to ensure warmth. She sighed softly as she scanned the streets only to see that there were no taxis whatsoever.
Great…I have to go walking back home…which wouldn't be so bad except that this karaoke bar is really far away from my apartment! What do I do?
"Need a ride Kamiya?"
Kaoru started slightly as a baritone voice interrupted her thoughts. She whirled around, and suddenly a frown adorned her face.
"Shinomori-san, what are you doing here?" asked Kaoru curiously. "Were you spying on Enishi and I or something?"
"No" lied Aoshi, rolling his eyes to make his lie sound more believable. "I was talking to Miyana."
"Oh!" Kaoru's interest suddenly peaked.
Megumi keeps saying that Aoshi and Miyana could make a great couple…and Aoshi seems to like Miyana…maybe there is hope for the two of them!
"So, are you two becoming good friends?" asked Kaoru with a smile.
"Wipe that smile off your face Kamiya. There is nothing romantic between Miyana and I" muttered Aoshi, rolling his eyes yet again, this time in exasperation. "Why would I ever want to fall in love?"
"You are so infuriating sometimes!" yelled Kaoru angrily, turning around. "I can't believe I even try to talk to you!"
She suddenly felt a yank on her ponytail and she turned around to glare at Aoshi only to have a helmet thrown in her face. She quickly raised her hands and caught it deftly in her hands before looking up at Aoshi with a mixture of anger and curiosity.
"Put it on Kamiya" said Aoshi firmly. "Or need I remind you how I had to force you into accepting a ride last time?"
Kaoru reddened with both embarrassment and anger. "You didn't need to pick me up! You could've just asked instead of ordering and I would have come along rather than refusing your ride!"
"I'm asking now!" exclaimed Aoshi, a touch of annoyance in his voice.
"You're still ordering!" insisted Kaoru.
"That is it!" muttered Aoshi, grabbing Kaoru by the wrist, yanking the helmet out of her hands, and firmly placing her helmet on her head before pulling her behind him and forcing her onto the seat. Before she could even think about getting off, he immediately started the motorcycle and began to ride out on the roads into the night.
"Shinomori Aoshi, that was completely uncalled for!" yelled Kaoru angrily, finally starting to think straight.
"This is payback for that awful tea you tried to force down my throat!" retorted Aoshi, turning his head slightly, therefore not paying attention to the truck that was heading their way. Kaoru however, stared ahead of them in shock as the truck came hurtling towards them with amazing speed.
"AOSHI! LOOK AHEAD OF YOU!"
Kaoru shrieked and tightly wrapped her arms around Aoshi in fear as he cursed and sharply dodged the truck, the side of his motorcycle almost grazing the ground before he steered it upright again. However, Kaoru, whose eyes were firmly shut, still had her arms wrapped around Aoshi's waist. And Aoshi was very aware of that.
Kamiya…she seems so frightened…
"Kamiya?" he asked curiously, hoping that she would open her eyes. She slowly opened them, her frightened blue orbs striking a chord in Aoshi's heart.
"Yes?" she whispered, her voice shaky.
"We're out of danger now, but your arms are still wrapped around me" answered Aoshi with a smirk. Kaoru blushed and immediately pulled her hands to her side.
I was so scared…the motorcycle almost tipped over! But when I wrapped my arms around me, he seemed so firm…secure…
What the hell am I thinking! This is Shinomori Aoshi for Kami's sakes!
The motorcycle suddenly came to a stop and Kaoru turned her head to see her apartment building in front of them. She stepped off the motorcycle and gently pulled the helmet off her head before handing it to Aoshi. Aoshi latched the helmet to the back of the motorcycle and was about to ride away when he suddenly felt Kaoru's hand on his shoulder. He turned to meet her gaze inquisitively.
"Shinomori-san…thank you for keeping your cool during that whole truck incident…and I'm sorry that I clutched on to your waist that hard" apologized Kaoru sheepishly, removing her hand from her shoulder.
"That's alright Kamiya. Any man would find that experience enjoyable" replied Aoshi with a smirk, revving his motorcycle and riding away before Kaoru could say a word. Her eyes burned with fury and she scooped a handful of rocks before screaming out after Aoshi and attempting to hit him with the rocks.
"SHINOMORI AOSHI! FORGET ABOUT THAT APOLOGY AND THANK YOU! I AM GOING TO GET REVENGE ON YOU FOR THAT!"
And so we end on that note...
Anyways, the part about Miyana hating fast moving vehicles was just for fun. I wanted to break Miyana's composure, and it seemed like such a great way to do it. She has a good irrational fear for fast moving vehicles, and I thought it was amusing...
Nashiya Hidehiko will actually factor into the story in more ways than one...he is related to someone...there is a reason why Miyana thought the woman in the picture on his desk looked so familiar...
As for Midori...well, you do find out later! However, she's the reason for the severe burns on Shishio's body!
The next chapter is a BONUS CHAPTER! It's about Tokio, Tomoe, and Yumi, and how each of them fell in love with the man they are with today! I'm excited about it because all three of them have hadno major role whatsoever, and I've never really explored all three of them at once!
Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed it! Please review, and once again, I'm so sorry for such a long delay!